Freezing fog warning for much of country with 'fairly wintry showers' expected in Cork
People out walking in freezing fog in the Wicklow Mountains this morning. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
The country faces a week of Arctic conditions, with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group set to meet every day amid warnings of temperatures falling as low as –8C.
This evening, Met Eireann stated that Monday was "provisionally the coldest day since 2010 across our network of 25 synoptic stations".
A maximum temperature of -3.2C was recorded at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan today, while Athenry, Co Galway recorded icy temperatures of -7.2C on Sunday night.
Katesbridge in Co Down has the island's current record low of the year at -9C seen in the early hours of this morning, according to the UK Met Office.
Provisionally 11 out of 25 synoptic stations had an ICE DAY yesterday (where the maximum temperature in a day does not rise above freezing), with maximum temperatures ranging from -3.2°C (corrected) at Ballyhaise, Co Cavan to -0.2°C at Casement Aerodrome, Co Dublin🧵 pic.twitter.com/gjDk19jIrp
— Climate Services @ Met Éireann (@METclimate) December 13, 2022
Freezing fog is set to add to the hazardous conditions, Met Éireann has warned, with a risk of hail, sleet, and snow showers near coasts.
From midday today, a status orange freezing fog warning came into effect for counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary.
Met Éireann has warned that dense fog will persist through the afternoon and into tonight until the warning lifts at midnight.
A status yellow low temperature/ice warning for the entire country has been extended until midday on Friday, December 16.
As a result of the treacherous driving conditions, numerous school bus services were forced to cancel their services this morning as the country woke to another day of freezing temperatures and knock-on effects to travel.
Bus Éireann services in Cork, Kerry Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Galway were all affected.
Schools are set to remain open for the week, with the Department of Education stating that "the decision to close a school rests with the school management authority".
It was added that the decision would take into consideration "the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána".
Information for schools about dealing with severe weather events has been provided to all schools.
"Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks and having consulted, as appropriate, with school transport operators," it was added.
Speaking this morning, Gerry Murphy of Met Éireann said that temperatures would remain in low single-digits throughout the country today, meaning there is unlikely to be any "thaw" of frost and ice.
"For much of the country, temperatures will stay down around zero or one degrees, and that's the way it's going to continue really right through it through the week," he told RTÉ Radio's .
Mr Murphy added that, this evening, winds are forecast to swing around to an east or southeast direction, resulting in wintery showers along the east and south coasts from tonight on.
"Tomorrow, it's worth noting that Cork can expect some fairly wintry showers and into parts of South Kerry as well, particularly on higher ground."
Met Éireann has predicted Munster will see "very cold" weather once again on Tuesday "with frost and ice persisting through much of the day".
"Generally cloudy with most areas staying dry, although a few outbreaks of rain, sleet or snow will push into the southwest throughout the day."
A meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group was convened yesterday in a bid to keep essential services open.
Schools and public transport are due to operate as normal today, as local authorities activated their winter maintenance plans.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has said that while the Government plans to keep all schools open this week, there will be discretion at local level for school management on whether they should close due to the weather.
He said there would not be “wholesale school closures".
Widespread gritting will continue, while homeless outreach teams will engage with rough sleepers to encourage them to avail of indoor shelter, he said.
Mr O’Brien said the Emergency Group will continue to monitor the situation and be in a position to respond speedily as situations arise.
A Garda spokesperson advised people to avoid walking with their hands in their pockets in order to protect themselves if they fall, and to take an extra look before crossing roads.
"As children often journey to school in the dark, make sure your child can be seen," said the spokesperson.
In Cork, the county council said it will continue treating all main and secondary routes, and this will be extended to more local roads and town centre locations where possible.
An updated warning from Met Éireann highlighted the treacherous conditions on paths and roads, and warned of some travel disruption, and the potential for burst water pipes in homes.
Met Éireann said that it will continue to be very cold heading into next weekend, with a “good deal of uncertainty".
The national director for fire and emergency management Keith Leonard, who chaired yesterday's meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group, said it was "prudent" to meet and discuss the possible impacts of the sub-zero temperatures.
"The key issues really are driving," he said.
"Be aware of your local conditions before you undertake a journey.
"The other key message from our perspective is for people to check on vulnerable and elderly neighbours, both in rural and urban areas, and just to help out where they can with people in their community."
People using two-wheeled vehicles such as motorbikes or scooters have been advised to take alternative transport as it is extremely difficult to control these vehicles in icy weather.
"One hundred and forty-nine persons have died on our roads this year to date," said the Garda spokesperson.
"Two weeks before Christmas, we can all play our part to ensure that that number does not increase over the next few days, and that no more families have an empty chair at the table this Christmas."
The AA has warned that patrols are "experiencing unprecedented breakdown callouts". They are asking people to "please bear with us if you require breakdown assistance".
"We are working through these as quickly as possible, but there are delays. Thank you for your support and patience."
Elsewhere, more than 20 flights in and out Dublin Airport were cancelled today as a result of the weather.
In the UK, a number of airports including Gatwick and Stansted shut their runways yesterday and this morning in a bid to clear snow, leading to cancellations which have rolled on into today.
Dublin Airport is fully operational this morning. A small number of flights have been cancelled for today, while some may be subject to delays, mainly due to weather disruption at UK airports. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest info regarding their flight. pic.twitter.com/63nEB70v4y
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) December 12, 2022
Most of the cancelled flights are of Aer Lingus and British Airways services between Ireland and the UK. However, Delta has cancelled a couple of its flights between Boston and Shannon.
Dublin Airport operator Daa urged passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline before they travel.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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